If you’re a long-time Overwatch fan who still has the 2016 original installed on your console or PC, or you have friends who never got around to upgrading to the newer entry, you’ve almost certainly wondered can Overwatch 1 and 2 play together. Blizzard’s shift from a paid, one-time purchase game to a free-to-play live service sequel left a lot of players confused about cross-version compatibility, especially since many still have fond memories of queuing for 6v6 matches with their old crew. This guide breaks down exactly what’s supported, what isn’t, and how you can play with your friends no matter which version of the game they originally owned.
Can Overwatch 1 and 2 Play Together Natively? Short Answer: No
Blizzard shut down all official Overwatch 1 servers on October 2, 2022, just hours before the launch of Overwatch 2. That means if you try to launch an un-updated copy of Overwatch 1 today, you’ll get an error message prompting you to install the free Overwatch 2 update before you can log into any official servers. There’s no way to access the original 6v6 matchmaking, game modes, or progression through official Blizzard channels anymore, so the two games can never connect to the same server pool.
The reason for this full shutdown comes down to how different Overwatch 2 is under the hood. It’s not a separate sequel running parallel to the original, it’s a complete replacement that overwrites all core game systems. The 5v5 format, reworked hero abilities, new game modes, and live service battle pass structure would never be compatible with the original Overwatch 1 build, so running both at the same time was never a feasible option for Blizzard.
There are unofficial private server options for Overwatch 1, but these are not sanctioned by Blizzard. If you choose to use these, you risk permanent account bans, and you won’t be able to carry over any of your existing cosmetics or progression to official servers. We don’t recommend this route for most players, especially if you’ve spent years building up your cosmetic collection.
How to Play With Friends Who Only Own Overwatch 1
The good news is every single person who owned a copy of Overwatch 1 got a free, permanent upgrade to Overwatch 2 when it launched. Your friend doesn’t have to spend any money to access the full game, even if they bought the original in 2016 and never touched it again. Getting them set up to play with you only takes a few simple steps:
- Have them launch their existing Overwatch 1 copy on their platform of choice, and install the free automatic update to Overwatch 2 that pops up immediately on launch. The update size ranges from 30GB to 50GB depending on platform.
- Ask them to link their existing Battle.net account to their console account if they haven’t already. This will automatically carry over all their original Overwatch 1 skins, emotes, sprays, and progression to Overwatch 2, so they don’t lose any of their old collection.
- Add each other as friends on Battle.net, and you can join the same lobby regardless of platform, as Overwatch 2 supports full cross-play across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
If your friend has a slow internet connection, the OW2 update can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours depending on file size and download speed. A lot of players look for quick, low-stakes games to pass the time while waiting for downloads to finish or queue times to pop. Many casual players opt for short, casual browser games that don't require large downloads to fill that gap, and Rummy888 is a popular pick for players who want a fun, fast card game break while they wait.
Once the update is installed, your friend will have access to the same full roster of game modes, heroes, and maps as everyone else. They won’t be locked out of any content for being an original Overwatch 1 owner, aside from new battle pass content that comes out after their first login.
Key Changes Long-Time Overwatch 1 Players Will Notice
If your friend is coming back to Overwatch for the first time since the original servers shut down, they’re going to run into a few big changes right away. These are the most notable differences to point out before you queue for your first match together:
5v5 team format instead of 6v6: The original game had two tanks, two damage, and two support per team, but Overwatch 2 cut one tank slot per team to make matches faster and more aggressive. Tanks are now far more durable and have higher damage output to make up for the missing second tank.
Free-to-play model with battle passes: Instead of a one-time purchase, Overwatch 2 is free to download for everyone, with new heroes and cosmetics locked behind seasonal battle passes. Original Overwatch 1 owners got a free founder’s pack with exclusive cosmetics and immediate access to all launch heroes, but new players have to unlock heroes through battle pass progression or in-game challenges.
New maps, heroes, and game modes: Overwatch 2 has added more than 10 new heroes, 15 new maps, and multiple new game modes since launch that were never added to the original game, including the objective-based Push mode and the recent Flashpoint mode.
Cross-progression across all platforms: The original Overwatch 1 only shared progression across the same console family, but Overwatch 2 lets you link all your platform accounts to a single Battle.net account, so you can carry all your skins and progression across PC, console, and Switch with no extra work.
No more loot boxes: The original game’s randomized loot box system was completely removed in Overwatch 2, replaced with a direct-purchase in-game shop and battle pass rewards. You’ll never have to grind for random cosmetic drops anymore, though some popular skins are only available for limited times in the shop.
Common Cross-Play Problems to Avoid
Even once your friend has updated to Overwatch 2, you might run into a few small issues when queuing together for the first time. These are the most common problems and how to fix them fast:
If your friend is on console and you’re on PC, you’ll automatically be placed in PC lobbies by default, which have a higher average skill level because of mouse and keyboard input. If you’re playing for fun, you can switch to console input on PC to queue for console lobbies, or stick to quick play if you don’t want to deal with tougher competition.
You can only queue for competitive play with friends who are within 2 skill tiers of your current rank. If your friend is a returning player who hasn’t placed their competitive ranks yet, you won’t be able to queue for ranked together until they finish their 5 placement matches. Stick to quick play or arcade modes until they get their initial rank.
If your friend’s old Overwatch 1 cosmetics don’t show up after they log in, double check that they linked the correct Battle.net account to their console profile. It’s common for players to have old, unused Battle.net accounts they forgot about, so make sure they’re using the same one they used for the original game.
At the end of the day, the answer to can Overwatch 1 and 2 play together is no, but the free upgrade path for all original Overwatch 1 owners means you and your friends don’t have to spend any extra money to jump into matches together. The transition to Overwatch 2 might feel a bit jarring for long-time original players at first, but the core team-based shooter loop that made the first game so beloved is still fully intact, and you’ll get access to years of new content that was never added to the original. Take a little time to show returning friends the new hero abilities and meta changes, and don’t be afraid to take short breaks between matches to keep the vibe fun for everyone.